Group Chairman Patrick Ricard said the company's performance reflected the company's aims of expanding its presence within emerging markets through its beverage ranges.

"The great success of our premium brands and our rapid growth in emerging countries were the two principal drivers of this performance and should ensure continued vigorous growth for the year in progress," he stated.

Of its 15 key brands, the company said more than half of the portfolio including labels such as Stolichnaya, Havana Club, Glenlivet and Jameson, posted double digit sales growth for the full fiscal year.

Of its international operations, sales in Europe rose to €2bn, an organic increase of 6.6 per cent attributable to increases in Germany, Russia, Ireland and Poland and more stable performances for its brands in Italy and the UK.

Sales through its domestic operations in France were also up rising 3.6 per cent on an organic basis.

For the groups America's segment, sales reached €1.8bn, an organic increase of 11.4 per cent.

North America posted organic sales growth of 9.7 per cent helped by a strong 4^th quarter performance and expansion of its key brands in the country.

In its emerging Central and South American markets, combined sales growth for the region was 20.3 per cent.

Within its Asian and rest of the world operations, Pernod Ricard posted sales of €1.8bn, an organic increase of 11.4 per cent, driven mainly by its Martell and Ballantine's brands.

The group's whisky portfolio underwent strong increase in demand within both China and India. However, Thailand remained a difficult market for their brands, while strong sales in Australia and New Zealand were hit by a decline of value wine sales.

The company is the world's second largest producer of spirits.